Three days after passing through Float, land was visible in the direction of our travel by evening.
*Is that the Gradia Continent?*
“Nail, you’re sure about this?”
“Yes, I recognize that terrain.”
For Nail, who was part of the survey team, to recognize it means we’ve been on the intended course. I thought we were fine, having confirmed the positions of the sun and stars, and checked the islands along our route, but actually arriving here brings a sense of relief.
“We’ve finally arrived.”
“Indeed. However, the sun is already setting. We will remain here for today and disembark on the Gradia Continent tomorrow morning. Rex, please relay that order.”
“Understood!”
So, we’ll keep the airship airborne at this position today and land tomorrow. As Emperor Reinhardt said, the sun is quite low, so it can’t be helped.
“Your Majesty, I propose we retreat slightly. If possible, it would be best to do so to the point just before the land disappears from view.”
“Is that because a village is nearby?”
“Precisely. It’s a small village, but they became suspicious of our arrival and reported it to a nearby town.”
Indeed, we had received that report. We had engaged and defeated the soldiers dispatched from that town, but because of that, we were no longer able to gather information from that village. Naturally, they will be on guard, and there’s a possibility reinforcements have arrived, so the opinion to retreat to a point where the land is no longer visible is very sound.
“Understood. We will retreat to the point where the land is barely visible. However, Abaricia commands high-ranking Dragons, so do not let your guard down. This applies even in the middle of the night.”
Needless to say, Abaricia commands A-rank and O-rank Dragons. It is speculated that Dragons are a species very similar to the Dragoons of the Philia Continent, but whether that is truly the case is unknown. If the speculation is correct, Dragons can fly regardless of their elemental affinity. A mere one or two would be no problem to defeat, but the survey team could not ascertain how many they commanded. More importantly, we cannot let them know that we have attacked with an airship.
“Roger! Adjust wing angle, engage front aero-engine.”
“Understood. Adjust wing angle, engage front aero-engine.”
As the helmsman began to pilot the ship after repeating Rex’s instructions, the Wing of Order began to retreat. Although at a slow speed, the Gradia Continent gradually grew smaller.
“It’s not perfect, but this should bring us some safety.”
“Indeed. Lord Nail, I heard that Traveling cannot be used near the Gradia Continent. How about this location?”
“Probably not. As per your report, it cannot be used when the Gradia Continent is in sight, but it’s not as if it works when it’s out of sight either.”
The report mentioned that the small island we just passed seemed to be the boundary. Since Traveling can be used on the small island, perhaps we could retreat there for today.
“Hmm, in that case, camping on that small island tonight might be an option.”
“There are limits to camouflage, but it would help distract the enemy’s eyes, so I agree.”
“There’s a perfectly situated inlet, so we can land there and spend the night. We’ve only confirmed monsters up to B-rank, both terrestrial and aquatic, so the danger level shouldn’t be too high.”
Although the inlet is somewhat intricate, the depth is said to be nearly 10 meters, making it quite possible to dock. This is why the investigation of the small island went smoothly, and the inhabitants and monsters were accurately researched. Yes, it really does feel like a perfect fit.
“I see. Then tonight, we will anchor in that inlet. However, given the time, we are not here for leisurely sightseeing, so disembarkation is forbidden.”
“Understood. I will ensure strict adherence. Though I don’t believe it will be necessary.”
“I agree, but it’s for caution’s sake.”
The selected Knights and Hunters have high morale, so no one will likely land on the island without permission. However, at this point, Mako interjected.
“In that case, there’s no problem with the time. Your Majesty, Princess Elice and Princess Ciel, and Empress Glisina will be returning to their home countries, so I request permission to use Traveling.”
“That’s sudden, but why?”
“It’s because pregnancy has been confirmed for all three of them.”
Mako’s words threw the bridge into a commotion. I was surprised, but it seems Sayuri also confirmed it, so she intended for us to stop at a point where Traveling could be used today, no matter what.
“To be precise, Princess Elice is four months pregnant, and Empress Glisina and Princess Ciel are three months pregnant.”
“R-really?”
Emperor Reinhardt must be surprised as well. This will be the second child for Princess Elice and Empress Glisina, but it will be Princess Ciel’s first child. It’s a very joyous occasion, but given the circumstances, the three of them will have to return immediately.
“Yes. Now that pregnancy has been confirmed, we cannot have them accompany us. Therefore, we must have Your Majesties return to your home countries.”
“Understood. In that case, it cannot be helped. Elice, Ciel, I’m sorry, but please wait for my return at Float.”
“Honestly, I’d like to accompany you, but I suppose it can’t be helped.”
“It is regrettable, but we will return. Lady Maruca, please take good care of Reinhardt.”
“Of course.”
It is utterly preposterous to bring pregnant women to a battlefield, especially a decisive one that will determine the fate of the Helios Orb, so them returning is only natural.
“Empress Glisina, the Beast King, I congratulate you on this joyous occasion, though under these circumstances. However, I apologize, but you too will have to return to Glacian.”
“It cannot be helped. No, I will graciously accept your words.”
“And Mako, are there any others who are pregnant?”
“Yes. Two Orders, three Fathers, one Dragoon, two Beastars, four Soldiers, and Lydia.”
“Me too!?”
Lydia too! I wouldn’t say it’s completely unexpected, but I never imagined it would be at this timing. They are all apparently two to four months pregnant, but Lydia is already five months along, and today’s examination revealed she is the closest to giving birth. Mako and Sayuri speculated that Lydia’s delayed discovery might be due to her evolving into an Element Dragonewt.
“Understood. Then those individuals will also return home. Any who are discovered after tomorrow will have to accompany us and will be assigned to rear support.”
“If Traveling could be used on the Gradia Continent, this wouldn’t be an issue.”
“Indeed, but this was something we could have anticipated. Moreover, pregnancy is an issue that should have been taken into consideration. It was our oversight not to have done so.”
I don’t think it’s quite an oversight, but it was certainly something we should have thought about.
“Lydia will return directly to Alka, but the Knights will be sent back to Float for now. After that, explain the situation to each country and instruct the Ancient Knights, who can use Traveling, to escort them back to their hometowns.”
“Understood. I will relay the urgent message.”
Communication tools are installed at the Ritter’s Guild headquarters and each country’s headquarters, and they are also equipped on the Wing of Order. We communicate approximately every few hours for routine reports, so I believe we can connect from an island where Traveling can be used. We will use that to send instructions first, and then Princess Elice, Princess Ciel, Empress Glisina, the Beast King, and the Knights will be returned. For their escort, dispatching Orders from Float and Beastars from Glacian should suffice.
“Also, Rex, I will permit the husbands of the returning Knights to accompany them if they are currently with them.”
“Why is that… Ah, is it a matter of morality?”
“Indeed.”
I also wondered “why” at first, but now that it’s explained, it certainly makes sense. All the Knights participating in this campaign are, without exception, married or in relationships. This serves to prevent issues between men and women, especially sexual ones. However, when pregnancy is discovered during a campaign like this and a departure is initiated mid-journey, problems can arise. The participating Knights have high morals, so I believe they will be fine, but there’s also the possibility of succumbing to temptation, and we don’t know what might happen on the Gradia Continent. Thus, Emperor Reinhardt decided to allow the return of the Knight partners of the pregnant women.
“I will relay that immediately as well.”
“Please do. We will return to our room. Given the time, the return may even be postponed until tomorrow. I ask for your cooperation.”
“Understood!”
After conveying that to Rex, Emperor Reinhardt, accompanied by Princess Elice, Princess Ciel, and Empress Glisina, left the bridge.
Ah, I also need to ensure Lydia returns, and more importantly, celebrate the pregnancies. We can’t go wild on the bridge, so we should head back to our room as well.
“Rex, excuse us, but we’re heading back to our room too.”
“Understood. Please take your time.”
It feels strange to speak to Rex so formally, but given our respective positions, it can’t be helped. With permission granted, we will return to our room with everyone. It takes less than five minutes from the bridge to the room assigned to us, but as soon as we left the bridge, everyone swarmed us with congratulations. *I want to congratulate them too!* Well, given the circumstances, let’s prioritize getting back to our room first.
“Congratulations again, sis!”
“Thank you, Ludia. I wish you could have come along, Ludia.”
As soon as they entered the room, Ludia embraced Lydia and offered her congratulations. Lydia looked happy, and perhaps a little disappointed, at her younger sister. Even as twins, simultaneous pregnancies are difficult, and even more so in the Helios Orb, where conception is challenging. It was possible that Ludia might have gotten pregnant first, but according to Mako, there were no signs of pregnancy in Ludia, either in her preferences or magically. However, magical confirmation varies between individuals, and their preferences are the same, so there’s still a non-zero chance that Ludia is actually pregnant too.
“Thank you, Ludia.”
“Yamato… Yes!”
A little, no, quite a bit later, I finally managed to offer my congratulations to Lydia. This is my eighth child, but Lydia’s first, so she embraced me, overcome with emotion, and I held her in return. Of course, I am happy too.
Unfortunately, Lydia must return to Alka by tomorrow’s departure. Bringing a pregnant woman to a battlefield is beyond inappropriate; moreover, the enemy this time is the Divine Emperor, and there’s a high possibility of negative influence. In fact, monsters that evolve under the influence of the Divine Emperor’s magic power are increasing.
That is precisely why we must defeat the Divine Emperor, and that is why we have come this far. To prevent the destruction of the Helios Orb, to repay past debts, and for the sake of our children, we absolutely must defeat him.
